Checkwriter.



H. (L. WELHR 1'1: L. E, 111 11.111

CHECKWRFTER.

APPLICATIQN FILED MAY 3. 1315.

1 1 87,403, Pawn-d June 13, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET l- H. C. WELTER & C. E. HALL.

CHECKWRITER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 3. 1915.

Patented June 13, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2- E. HALL.

H. C. WELTER & EX

CHECKWRHER.

APPLICATION min WW3 m5 Patented J nne 13, 1916.

"' SHEETS-SHEET 3 anwutoz H. C. WELTER & C. E. HALL.

CHECKWRITER.

APPLICATION HLED MAY3.19!5

1 1 87,403 Patented June 13, 1916.

5 sneaks-shin 4.

lg ZLAWQZ H. C. WELTER & C. E. HALL.

CHECKWRITER.

APPLICATIUN FILED MAY 3, I975.

Patented June 13, 1916.

5' SHEKTSFSHEET 5.

TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERMAN C. WELTER AND CHARLES E. HALL, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, AS SIGNOR S "10 HALL-WELTER COMPANY, INC., 0F ATTICA, NEW YORK.,

CHECKWRITER.

Specification of iettets Patent. Patented J ne 13 1916.

Application filed May 3. 1915. Serial No. 25,573. a

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, HERMAN C. VVELTER and CHARLES E. HALL, citizens of the United States, residing at Rochester, in the county .ofMonroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful 1mprovements in Checkwriters, of which the following is a specification.

Theobject of this invention is to provide a new and improved form of check writer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved form of feed for the check on which the check writer is operating.

Another object of the invention is to increase the capacity of the check writer for characters and figures with which to mark checks.

These and other objects of the invention will be fully. illustrated in the drawings, described in the specification and pointed out in the claims at the end thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of the improved check writer. Fig. 2

is a verticallongitudinal section on the line.

. the line 8*8" .of Fig. 8. Fig. 9 is a detail view of a portion of the type bar belt. Fig. 10 is a detail view of a portion of the type bar belt the parts being shown on a large scale. Fig. llis a detail perspective view of a portion of the cover and the pointer or indicator. Fig. 12 is a detail view of the bracket 12.

In the drawings like reference numerals indicate like characters.

Inthe drawlngs reference numeral 1 indicates the base on which the machine is built. On the base is the platform or bed plate 2 and on top of this bed plate a portion of the mechanism is carried and the balance of the mechanism is carried below the bed plate inside of the base. Supported on the platform 2 are the brackets 3 and 4. In these brackets is supported for oscillation the shaft 5, the end of which projects laterally from the machine, on WhlCh is keyed the crank 6 to which is fastened a handle? by which the machine is operated.

On top of the bracket 3-is supported the auxiliary bracket 8. On this bracket is sup-.

ported a shaft 9 which carries a sprocket wheel 10. At the opposite end of the machine the'brackets 11 and 12 are supported. on the bed plate. On the bracket 11 issup ported a shaft 13 which carries a sprocket wheel 14. Between the sprocket wheels-10 Through, these bracket 3 and the screw 19 making threadeol engagement with the bracket8. By loosens mg these screws the bracket 8;-is1, released for ad uStment along the bracket 3 and bytightening them it is clamped in the desired position.

The shaft 13 extends through the bracket 11 and has keyed on. the opposite end thereof the pinion 20, which pinionmeshes with the pinion 21 carried on the stud. 22 mounted in the bracket 11. The pinion 21 is an idler and in turn mesheswith the pinion 23 'mounted on the shaft 24, which shaft extends through the brackets ;11 and 12. On. this shaft 24 is keyed the. drum 25 andthe:

locking Wheel 26. Mounted between the brackets 11 and 12 is a shaft 27 on which is keyed the drum 28. Around the}drurns- 2 5, and 28 passes the type belt, which .beltQiS; made up preferably of two, flexi b.le ,ste1 bands 29, between which is mounted a se a:

ries of bars, 100, each of which :barsjcarnie s a type plate thereon, each of the t ypeapl ates having different characters thereon, the

characters being varied according to, what. the machine. is. intended to print. on the checks.

The drums 25 and 28 are provided on their peripheries with longitudinally .e x-. tending grooves spaced equal distances:

apart and adapted to receive corresponding;

projections 101, preferably V-shape,:fo i;med'

on the under side of the type bars'100.

Each of these type bars 100 extends .be

tween and is removably securedto the bands;

the type bars prevents a buckling of the bands and permits the selected type bar to become properly centered when engaged by the platen 30. The projetionslOl and their cooperating grooves in the drums also provide means for properly, advancing the type bars and for rotating the drum 2 Movably mounted in the base of the machine is the platen 30, which platen may be provided with either a serrated or a smooth surface. This plate is driven, against the type bar' that is positioned opposite there to for the purpose of causing the type bar to make an impression on the check which has been interposed between the platen and the type bar. 'The platen is moved to secure this result by a mechanism which we will now describe. I

Mounted in the base of the machine is a stud-31 on which is pivotally mounted a lever 32, one end of which lever carries the platen '30. To the opposite end of the lever is connected 2. spring 33 by which that end of the lever is normally held up and the opposite end of the-leveris normally held down. Fastened to the lever 32 is a bracket 34, screws 35 and 36 being provided for the purpose of making the connection between the two parts, although the parts may be fastened together by rivets instead.

The bracket 34 has a large opening 37 therein through Whichextends the link 38, which link is carried on the end of a crank 39, which crank is keyed to the shaft 5; The crank 39 and link 38 form a toggle-by which the movement of the handle 7 and shaft 5 is communicated to the lever 32. The thrust of the link 38 is communicated to the bracket 34 and lever 32 by means of lock nuts 40 and 41 which are threaded on the link 38 and which may be set thereon to hold or bring the lever 32 and platen 30 to the desired position in contact with the type bar with the desired pressure when the parts are -in the position shown in Fig.2.

Keyed to the shaft 5 is a cam 42. On the bracket 4 is a lug 43 in which is mounted a stud 44 on which is pivotally mounted a lever 45 having an antifriction roller 46 at the upper end thereof, which roller makes contact with the cam 42. As the shaft 5 operates and the cam 43 rocks with itythe lever 45 will be oscillated in turn. tened to the bed plate of'the machine is a bracket 47 having upturned ends 48 and 49, which ends are slotted and in which slotted ends is mounted to slide a. locking pin 50. The forward end of this pin is pointed to engage between the teeth of the locking wheel 26 and the rear end of the pin is Fasf b memos pivotally connected to the lever 45. The lever 45 and pm 50 are fastened together by the stud 51. A spring 52 is provided fastened at one end to a lug 53 provided on friction roller is held inengageme'nt with" the cam As the shaft 5- oscillates the cam 42 oscillates with it and rocks the lever 45 and drives the pin 50int0 locking en-.

gagement between the teeth of the locking wheel and centers the locking" Wheel and drum and" type bar with reference to the platen and holds the parts in their position while the platen moves to complete the work of printing or embossing or punching the check.

Mounted in the base of the machine are the brackets 54 and 55 in which brackets is' mounted to rotate the shaft 56. At one end of the shaft 56 is provided the feed wheel "'57 having the knurled flanges 58 and 59 integral therewith. On the opposite end of the shaft 56 is the ratchet wheel 60 by which the shaft is oscillated. To oscillate this ratchet Wheel a lever 61 is provided loosely mounted on the shaft 56, having a pawl62 thereon... To this lever is connected a link 63 which in turn is connected toa lever 64 having a slotted end 65 therein, which lever is engaged by a pin'66, carried on a bell crank 67 pivotally mounted at 68 on a bracket 69. The bell crank 67 has "-a slotted'end 70 with which engages a pin 1 carried on the spacing bar 72, the end of' which bar makes engagement with'the mutilated periphery of the spacing-wheel 73.v

The bar 72 is formed with a quarter turn as is shown in Fig. 2. The mutilated periphery of the spacing wheel 73 determines the length of travel of the spacing bar 72 and this in turn through the levers, above do scribed, determines the angular'movement of the ratchet wheel '60 operated by; the pawl 62, and this in turn determines the angular movement of the feed wheel v57 for the purpose of advancing the check. after an impression has been i'nade thereon from one type bar for the purpose of positioning the check' to receivethereon the impression from another type bar, the feed being sufii cient to carry the check along so that impressions made'by one type barwill .pre

cede and be properly and, evenly spacedfrom the impression made by the next type It will be understood that the type-bars will have-words 'or characters thereon of different lengths and it-is desirable to print a series of-these in succession in a single line on the check and it is also desirable to have them uniformly spaced on the check and to secure this result it is necessary to 7 advance the check a distance equal to the length of character or word printed by a type bar plus the space desired between the d the feeding" mechanism heretofore described is provided. Y

The spacing wheel 73 is mounted to oscillate on a stud 74 mounted on a bracket 75'provided therefor: The spacing wheel is keyed to a gear wheel 76 which also is mounted to oscillate on the stud ,74, which gear wheel meshes with the gear wheel 77 keyed to the drum 28. The parts are so related that when a particular type bar is placed opposite the platen 30 the corresponding section of the periphery of the mutilated wheel 73 is presented to the spacin bar 72. It will be understood that there wil be as many sections in the periphery of the'spacing wheel 73 as there are type bars on the belt 29, each having the same angular measurement. As the characters or words on the type bar increase or decrease in length, a correspondingly ,greater or smaller feed of the check'is necessary. To secure this a correspondingly longer or shorter stroke of the spacing bar 72 is necessary, which means that the spacing bar.

must approach correspondingly closer to or be stopped farther away from the center of rotation of the spacing Wheel 73. The more feed that is desired for the check the greater must the spacing wheel be cut away to correspond and the less feed that is desired for the check the less will the spacing wheel be cut away for that particular type bar. If two adjacent type bars are provided with words or characters of equal length the corresponding section on the Wheel 72 willoccur in line with each other on the spacing wheel or will appear as a single section of double-length. If, after the spacing wheel is cut it is desired to change a single one of the type bars, making it shorter, the spacing wheel can be made to correspond by inserting a lug on that section of the spacing wheel so as to make it correspondingly longer radially and decrease the travel of the spacing bar 72 to correspond. If a longer character is inserted the spacing wheel must be cut away at the desired point to secure the properly increasing feed to corre spond.

The spacing bar is moved into engagement with the spacing wheel onthe downward stroke of the handle 7 and the check is not advanced during that movement, but the pawl 62 is set with reference to the ratchet wheel 60 so as to secure the subsequent angu- 1:131 movement that is. desired.

The move- Qli ment of the lever 32 is uniform and the movement of the spacing bar is variable so that a rigid connection cannot be used.

to communicate the movement from the lever 32'to the bar 72. To provide for 'this variable movement, of the spacing,

bar 72 a' spring is provided connected at one end 1 to the lever 32 and at the other end to thelever 64. If the bar 72 can travel only a short distance the excess of up by stretching the spring accordingly. While if the spacing bar 72 moves a long distance the spring 78 will be stretched only a small amount. the spacing bar in but one direction, which direction merely sets the feeding mechanism and does not operate it. To move the spacing bar 72 in the opposite direction and move the feeding mechanism with it, a lever 79 is provided pivoted in the base plate. Thislever has a slotted engagement with a pin 7 2 on the bar 72 to move the spacing bar to the right in Fig. 2. The lever 79 is operated from the lever 32- which engages with the lower end of the lever 79 during its upward movement, a certain amount of lost motion existing between them, due to positions in which the lever 79 may be held on account of the irregularities of the spacing wheel. As the lever 79 is rocked to the right at the top, as shown in Fig. 2, it will carry the spacing bar 72 with it in the reverse direction, which in turn will! cause the pawl 62 to move and carry the ratchet wheel forward with it, alsoca'rrying with it the shaft 56 and the feed wheel- 57 with its,

knurled flanges 58 and 59; The check moves through the machine from 'the shelf, forming part of the bed plate, marked In on oneside of the ma. chine to the shelf also forming 'part of" the bed plate, marked"Out onthe otherv side of the machine, both of which shelves appear in Fig. ,3. The knurledflanges 58"and 59 extend through the bed plate'ofthe' machine and the check'is held in contact with the knurled flanges by means, of a spring pressed roller 80 mounted on a lever 8 1 pivoted on the stud 82 provided therefor in the frameof the machine, a torsion'spring 83 being provided around the stud 82 to hold the roller 80 in contact with the knurled flanges. The

roller 80 is longenough" to make engagement withboth of the knurled .flanges 58 and 59 so as to hold the check firmly in engagement therewith.

The mechanism of the machine above the bed plate is inclosed in a cover Sl-which rests on the bed plate, being pivotally connected thereto at 85 so that it can be tipped up at the opposite end. The top of this cover is inclined and has a slot 86 therein tln'migh which extends a pointer 87 connected to the sprocket chain 15. A reading gage SS is provided on the cover with which the pointer cooperates for the purpose of indicatin'g'the The spring 78 will move typeliarthat is placed above the platen 30. 0 "e 1 'a'a'se'plate of the machine is provided I gef89 which is adjustable forward or ba'cltttifthe purpose of holding the check in proper alinement with reference to the platen.

The operation of my machine is as follows: The gage 89 is first adjusted according to the kind of check used. The roller 80 is raised and the check is placed in the correct position on the machine and the roller 80 is released to hold the check against the knurled flanges. The pointer 87 is then positioned to indicate the first character that it is desired to print on the check. The handle 7 is then moved down which causes the platento raise and press the check against the type bar indicated. The handle 7 is then raised which permits the feeding device to operate and advance the check to the correct position to receive a new impression. The pointer 87 is then moved to the next character that it is desired to print on the check, after which the handle 7 is again moved down and up. By repeating the foregoing series of operations any combination of characters can be printed on the check, all of which characters will be evenly or uniformly spaced apart on the check.

The type bars are inked by inking rollers provided therefor as follows: A roller 90 is provided mounted on a bell crank 92 pivotally mounted onthe stud 93, supported on a bracket 9%. A spring 95 is provided fastened at one end to the frame of the machine and at the other end to the short arm of the bell crank by which the inking roller is held in contact with the type bars. 'A. similar roller 96 is mounted on a link 97 pivoted on the stud 9R,which stud is mounted on the frame of the machine. A torsion spring 99 is provided by which the inking roller is held ,in engagement with the type bars.

We claim:

1. In a machine of the character described, the combination of abelt comprising two flexible bands and a series of type bars secured thereto, two rotatably mounted drums over which said belt engages, means for rotating one of said drums, a platen with which any predetermined one of said type bars can cooperate, means for moving said platen against such type bar to impress a check held between them. projections formed on and longitudinally said type bars, and grooves formed in said drums for receiving said projections to cause the rotation of the other of said drums, each of said type bars being secured at points in its cen-.

ter line to said bands and tapered each side of such fastenings to permit the pro ection thereon being properly S81 ted, to prevent a buckling of said bands and to properly center the selected in bar with respect to said platen when in engagement therewith.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a belt comprising two flexible bands and a series of type bars removably secured thereto, two rotatably mounted drums over which said belt engages, means for rotating one of said drums, at platen. with which any predetermined one of said type bars can cooperate, means for moving said platen against such type bar to impress a check held between them, projections formed on and longitudinally of said type bars, and corresponding grooves formed in said drums for receiving said projections to cause the rotation of the other of said drums, each of said type bars being removably secured at points in its center line to said bands and tapered each side of such fastenings to permit the projection thereon being properly seated, to prevent a buckling of said bands and to properly center the selected type bar with respect to said platen when in, engagement therewith.

8. In a machine of the character described, the OOIIlblIllltlOIl of a movable means for selecting the word or character to be printed, a drum and means for rotating the same actuated by the movement of said selecting means, a shaft on which said drum is secured, a locking wheel secured to saidshaft, a second drum, a belt engaging over. said drums and having aseries of type bars thereon, a platen with which any predetermined one of said type bars can cooperate, means for moving said platen against such type bar to impress a check held between them, cooperating engaging members on said belt and said drums for causing the rotation of said second drum, properly advancing said belt in either direction relative to the movement of said selecting means and centering the selected type bar with respect to said platen, a bar movable radially of and adapted to engage said locking Wheel to center and Y lock such selected type bar during the printcooperate, means for moving said platen against such type bar to impress a check held between them, cooperating engaging members onsaid belt and said drums for causing the rotation of said sec 0nd=drum, pr rly advancing said belt in either direction-r ative to the movement of said selecting means and centering the selected type bar with respect to said platen, a bar movable radially of and adapted to engage said locking wheel to center and lock such selected type bar during theprinting operation, means for actuating said bar and means for moving the check a variable but predeterminable distance longitudinally of said type bars after each printing operation.

5. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a series of movable type bars and a platen for engaging any predetermined one thereof, a pivotally mounted lever on one end of which said platen is secured and having a holeextending vertically through its opposite end, a shaft and means for oscillating the same,' a crank keyed to said shaft, a rod pivotally connected at one end to said crank and extending through the opening in said lever, a member longitudinally adjustable on said rod adapted to cause the actuation of said lever to raise the platen against the selected type bar, and resilient means for returning said lever to its normal or inoperative position and holding it in engagement with said adjustable member.

6. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a rotatable shaft having a drum and a locking wheel secured thereon, a series of type bars-carried by and extending longitudinally of said drum, means for rotating said shaft to bring the selected type bar into operative position, a platen with which any one of said type bars can cooperate, means for moving said platen against such selected type bar to impress a check held between them, a bar supported to move radially of and to engage said looking wheel to center and lock the selected type bar during the printing operation, a second shaft and means for oscillating the same, connections between said second shaft and said bar for actuating the bar, and additional means for returning said bar to its inoperative position.

7. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a rotatable shaft having a drum and a locking wheel secured thereon, a series of type bars carried by and extending longitudinally of said drum, means for rotating said shaft to bring the selected type bar into operative position, a platen with which any one of sand type bars can cooperate, means for moving said platen against such selected type bar to impress a check held between them, a bar supported to move radially of and to engage said locking wheel to center and lock the selected type bar during the printing operation, a second shaft and means for oscillating the same, a cam on said second shaft, a plvotally mouhted lever for actuating said bar,

one end of such lever being pivotally connected tosaid bar and the opposlte end engaging said cam, and a resillent connection to said bar for returning the same tg iits intravel, an elastic connection between said bar and said lever by which said bar is moved into engagement with'the periphery of said wheel on each operation of the lever, an endless type bar carrier geared to said spacing wheel and adapted to turn it and cause it to present different portions of its periphery to said bar to permit said bar to travel a greater or less distance on the operation of the printing device, a pivotally mounted lever engaging atone endavith said first named lever and at its 0tl1er end,;with

said bar, such lever being actuated by the return movement of such first named lever for returning said bar and causing the feeding of the check a distance proportioned to the travel of the bar. r

9. In a machine of the character, described, a spacing wheel having a mutilated periphery, a spacing bar supportetil to move radially of said wheel, means for rotating said wheel to bring different portions of its periphery opposite said bar, a lever having a uniform travel, an elastic connection between said lever and said bar for moving the latter inwardly to engage the periphery of said spacing Wheel during the movement in one direction of said lever, a second lever pivotally mounted and having one end en-' gaging said first named lever and its other end engaging said spacing bar, such lever actuated by said first named lever on the return movement thereof to move said spacing bar outwardly a distance equal to its inward movement, all for the purpose specified.

10. In a machine of the character described, a rotatably supported shaft and a ratchet wheel secured thereto, a spacing Wheel having amutilated periphery, a spacing bar supported to move radially of said wheel, means for rotating said wheel to bring different portions of its periphery opposite said bar, a lever having a uniform travel, a bell crank lever and a support therefor, one arm of such lever having slotted engagement with a pin on said bar,

an elastic connection between said first bar outwardly a distance equal .to its inward movement, and connections between said bell crank and said ratchet wheel for imparting an angular rotation thereof corresponding'to. the movement of said spacing bar, all for the purpose specified.

111 In a machine of the character described, two sprocket wheels and a sprocket chain engagin'g thereover, a casing, a gage thereon, a slot in said casing, a pointer mov- .able along said gage such pointer. being 'secured to said chain and extending through said slot, a rotatable shaft and a drum secured thereon, gearing between one of said sprocket wheels and said drum for rotating the latter on the movement of said pointer in either directign, a second drum, a belt engaging over said 'drums comprising two flexible bands and a series of type bars secured thereto, a platen with which any predetermined one of said type bars can cooperate to impress'a check held between them, cooperating engaging members on said type bars and said drums for causing the rotation of said second drum, properly advancing said type bars and centering the selected one with respect to said platen, a locking wheel secured on said shaft,- a locking bar movable radially of and adapted to 'make locking engagement with such wheel, a spacing wheel having a mutilated eripher'y and geared to one .of said sproc et wheels, a spacing bar having a'variable movement radially of such spacing wheel, means actuated by said spacing .bar for feeding a check through the machine variable. but predeterminable distances, a lever for'moving said platen into operative position, an operating shaft, a handle secured thereto for impart-- ing oscillatory movement to such shaft, means controlled by the movement of such shaft for moving said locking bar into opcrative position, additional means controlled thereby for operating said platenlever, and

means actuated by the movement of said' platen lever to cause the operation of said feeding bar.

In testimony ereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

HERMAN C. WELTER. CHAS. E. HALL.

Witnesses:

Ems ISCHMIGER, EDNA K, Boo'rn. 

